Software solutions were created to augment capabilities for specific tasks. For example, manufacturers might use one program for inventory management, and another one for job costing and scheduling. However, all of these assets can be complex and expensive to maintain, not to mention each service offers limited views. Investing in integrated systems can be a significant benefit to manufacturers as they come under increased pressure to closely manage projects and deliver quality products.

1. Heightened visibility

One of the biggest issues with siloed programs is that they don't provide a single overview of the organization, only bits and pieces. Users must navigate between each program, opening and closing a variety of windows just to get the information they need. This type of setup can quickly become very confusing and lead to human error.

With a system that's proven to integrate well, users can complete tasks seamlessly from a single platform and monitor activities across the shop. Oracle noted that employees can tie data from different sources together and view it instantly from anywhere. This can improve visibility into progress across projects and help determine how much inventory is left.

2. Real-time actionable intelligence

With the pace of technology today, it's critical to have a system that delivers real-time information. If you're dealing with older data, you could be missing out on a critical trend or client preference. Inaccurate data can also significantly impact your inventory management and job scheduling capabilities. It's critical to have a way to drive insight and actions.

Integrated systems can deliver real-time actionable intelligence thanks to the visibility they gain from a unified data repository. Manufacturing Global noted that ERP platforms integrated with Internet of Things technologies can help provide data about the current state of the shop, no matter what size it is. It can also help improve collaboration and clarity throughout the supply chain.

3. Better product success rates

Organizations often look to build customer relationships by exceeding their expectations with faster time to market, quality materials and new products. However, any new product has a certain amount of risk attached to it. If it flops, that's time, money and energy wasted. With siloed systems, it can be difficult to really understand what clients are looking for and what a project may cost to carry out.

By integrating ERP, CRM, pricing and product catalog services, manufacturers can create new product lines that align with their business models and customer requirements. Enterprise Irregulars contributor Louis Columbus noted that these systems can help capture feedback and put it into context for product innovation. This will help manufacturers not only build new products, but ones that also have a higher likelihood of success.

Relying on a setup full of different software solutions can create complexity, bottlenecks and errors within your operations. With integrated software systems, organizations can take advantage of better visibility, real-time information and product success. Ensuring that ERP and other mission-critical platforms work seamlessly together will make a large impact on manufacturing processes.